The creator of SpongeBob died at 57

Stephen Hillenburg, creator of famous cartoons Bob the sponge, died Monday 26. The American animator and producer had announced in March 2017 that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative pathology for which there was no cure .

Hillenburg died at 57 years old. "We are incredibly sad because of the news that Steve Hillenburgh has died after a battle with the Commonwealth", a representative of the Nickelodeon TV channel said in a statement.

After completing studies of exploitation of natural resources in the Humbold State University from California and specializing in marine resources, Hillenburg He began his career in animation in 1987 by participating in several short films.

In 1992, he signed the film Wormholes, by which he came into contact with Joe Murray, creator of the series The modern life of Rocko, in Nickelodeon, in which he participated as a screenwriter and creative director. He would know Tom Kenny, who later gave the floor to Bob sponge in the original version of the series.

In 1998, based on drawings he had made during his visit to the Oceanic Institute, Hillenburg developed the pilot chapter of what would become his most famous creation. At the time, his name was SpongeBoy (sponge boy), but being a name already registered, they changed it to Bob sponge (Bob the sponge).

The series created in Nickelodeon May 1, 1999. The success of the drawings was such that in 2004 there was even a film version. The same year, the creator of the character leaves the executive production of the series to embark on other projects. But after the second film, Bob sponge: a hero out of the water (2015), he resumes his position as producer of the film and series.

In 2017, the character created his own Broadway-nominated musical for many awards. Tony and with songs from Cindy Lauper, Legend John, David Bowie or Aerosmith, while the third feature film featuring animated characters will debut in 2020.